Apple Picking

Wait, isn't it December? Yep, but our recent visit to Linvilla reminded me that I never finished my pre-Halloween post about our last trip there: to pick apples and find a pumpkin.

We had a great time in the orchard. Daddy was our best picker (see above), but Shannon gave him a run for his money.

Kelly sized up the crop (almost like she knew that many of them would become apple puree for her).

Since we had walked a long way out and it was a gorgeous day, we decided to take a snack break before heading in. Something about these shots felt like they came from a simpler time to me, so I had fun playing around with the vintage effect.

After our snack, it was time to head over to Pumpkinland and pick out a winner. And try to get a cute shot of the girls in the sea of pumpkins. Kelly got the idea right away!

And we had to see how everyone measured up.

The Perfect Christmas Tree

I'll confess, my expectations for our second annual Christmas tree cutting adventure at Linvilla were pretty high since last year was so much fun.

About 15 minutes in, it wasn't shaping up to be quite the quality family outing I remembered.

But soon things started looking up. Kelly passed out and we found the perfect tree. In keeping with tradition, Daddy did all of the work while Shannon and I drank hot chocolate.

The hayride back was peaceful and sunny.

Shannon cracked us up when the wagon with the trees arrived. She literally was jumping and squealing with glee, "My Christmas tree here! My Christmas tree here!"

And here is today, all decked out.

Thanksgiving in NYC

We had a great Thanksgiving in New York with Uncle Mike, Aunt Hanna and Uncle Pat this year. Mike and Hanna's new apartment is just block away from Central Park and right where the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade gets started.

On Thanksgiving Eve, we went to see the balloons being inflated. Here's Mickey under the nets

Kelly taking it all in from the pack. (Aside: The Ergo is my favorite piece of baby gear this time around.)

Around 8:30 we strolled down the street and found a spot. It was jammed packed.

Kelly was fussy and ready for a nap, so she and I headed back soon after seeing Spiderman.

Shannon LOVED Abby Cadabby and the Sesame Street float.

She held Mike's hand whenever they saw clowns (for Mike has a clown phobia and Shannon is currently obsessed with talking about other people's fears).

Can you guess what balloon is coming?

Horton, the elephant!

When the big guy wrapped things up, Shannon delighted the people around her by repeatedly screaming, "I being a good girl! I being a good girl!"

The rest of our Turkey Day was spent cooking and relaxing.

Shannon made some pretty snazzy placecards and Kelly was our centerpiece. We squeezed in and enjoyed our feast.

Gobble, gobble!

Marathon Man

Chris ran the Philadelphia Marathon today and accomplished one of his three goals: finish the race! He ran it in 4:10 which is impressive when you consider squeezing training in around everything else we've got going on.

The girls and I went in to watch. We saw Chris 4 times during the race and at the finish. I sorta felt like it was my own "mom marathon." I mean, we had our gear, we started off cold and ended up sweaty, we went through lots of water and snacks, we covered some serious terrain today, my legs and arms feel like jelly right now...

Shannon and I made special signs last night with glitter. She loved cheering for the runners and shaking her cow bell. Believe it or not, we found Chris out of the 10,000+ runners with relative ease each time.

But each sighting was followed by a meltdown. "I want Daddy! I want see Daddy! I want Daddy more!" Horrible picture, but check out the crocodile tear rolling down her cheek. :(

Fortunately, she's easily distracted. Playing "runnners I spy" usually did the trick and when desperate times called for desperate measure, I let Shannon run in the race just like Daddy.

Can you find Chris in this pack half-way up on the left?

We missed him crossing the finish, but it was a happy reunion at the end of the race.

Way to go, Chris! You're amazing!

Sisters: Fall Edition

These two continue to be so fun to watch together. It's a mutual admiration society. Shannon dotes on Kelly and if Shannon is in the room, Kelly's got an eye on her.

Kelly is big enough now that they even play "together."

Favorite games include "I wanna be your hat" (in which the adult present holds Kelly and chases Shannon, trying to plop Kelly on Shannon's head), "Boo-yah Kelly!" (in which Shannon runs up to Kelly and screams "Boo-yah Kelly!") and "play in Kelly's crib."

Shannon also likes making Kelly do things "like-a me" and setting herself up "like-a Kelly." (In other news, Shannon is sounding like a little, old Italian lady these days... all sorts of extra syllables "throwna inna".)

And, as a little sister, you run the danger of randomness like this.

Love you, cutie-pies!

Happy Halloween!

It's a good thing the Phillies made it to the World Series again... Shannon was the Phillie Phanatic and Kelly was a Phillies ball girl.

Click here if you need to get up to speed on who exactly the Phanatic is.

That's right... the costume that was 12 months in the making was finished in time to trick or treat. (Just barely, we were sewing and glueing late Friday night.)

The girls were excited to get out there.

We went to the Waltman's first where we met up with Andy and Makayla.

Shannon LOVES candy, so trick or treating was a big hit.

The "Philly 'Attic" taking a break.

Here's hoping the Phillies continue to make it to the post-season (and we can get some more use out of this costume!).